Publishers to discuss threats to press freedom in Latin America at Newsmaker Tuesday

Publishers from two leading newspapers in Latin America will discuss threats to press freedom in the region at a National Press Club Newsmakers news conference on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. in the Zenger Room.

Speaking will be Miguel Henrique Otero, owner/publisher of El Nacional, the most influential newspaper in Venezuela and one of the most prestigious newspapers in Latin America, and Carlos Perez Barriga, owner/publisher of El Universo, an Ecuadorian newspaper.

Otero and Barriga will discuss not just overt threats to press freedom from government – such as open censorship and other types of government pressure – but also threats through less obvious means such as restricting the use of imported paper to produce newspapers, restricting advertising from the government and even restricting government purchase of media outlets by proxy.

Like all National Press Club Newsmakers events, this news conference is open to credentialed journalists and Club members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.

Contact is John M. Donnelly, chair of the Club's NPC Freedom of the Press Committee, atJDonnelly@cq.com,